Once upon a time, I purchased my current home that required loads of work. Thinking I could pull it off myself, I soon realized I was going under pretty quick. Having few tool skills, I did my best to attempt to fix what was broke, but it was way beyond my own capabilities.

Then one day, a knock on my door opened to a wonderful team of folks offering to help me fix my place!

It was a dream come true. I fired up my first blog, Our Extreme Home Makeover Experience to document the renos for the team. (story HERE)

A year later, the renos left me with a beautiful new home! Only trouble was, my exhausted funds left me with nothing to decorate with. I knew then if I wanted to furnish my pretty new old home, I’d have to get wildly creative.

So I started curbside diving and thrifting with a vengeance! Found objects were put to work in every nook and cranny. I also learned how to swing a few tools with the help of some great friends and started to tackle the mysterious world of building stuff.

This is when Funky Junk started up. I held my breath many times before hitting publish because my stuff was… different.

Many evenings, I’d post something then go to bed. I was so nervous, I’d get up to remove the post only to notice I was too late… comments! Oh no… GULP. I’d hold my breath and read… and they were GOOD! Some even better than good! I honestly couldn’t believe my eyes.

I soon realized I had a means of giving back for all the good that had been done towards me. So I kept cranking out easy to create projects coming from nothing ensuring to teach what I just learned so anyone could join in, make their own homes prettier and find their own creative outlet. I wanted them to grow just as I was.

From there, I went crazy. I no longer worried what others may think. I realized what was making me happy was also making others happy and eventually those that liked what they saw would follow along if they desired.

The blog continues to grow beyond my wildest expectations! It appears that most of you also desire to make something out of nothing for next to nothing. You want to learn and hone your own skills!

I’m happy to say, that’s served up here more than regularly.

And so my fearless little collection of weirdness just continues to grow.

What you’ll find here

projects that are:

unique, easy to follow and affordable

tutorials:

how to work with toolshow to build thingshow to grow a blog businesshow to write for magazinesphotography tips

stories

inspirational writings

We are Canadian, eh?

My awesome son and I reside in Beautiful British Columbia, Canada, complete with our dog Jenna, and cat Teddy Bear.

We love the outdoors, camping, going for walks, antiquing, movies, and sometimes even doing nothing.

I sign

I run my own sign and graphic design company for the last 20 years from my home and am blessed with awesome clients!

I write

I’m also a freelance writer/photographer for several online and published magazines and am looking to expand this area. Also in the works are self published ebooks as well as plans to write a published book one day.

Being fairly new to building, I’ve sort of jumped into it fearlessly. Wood almost always does what I say and looks pretty awesome at the end. Building is a blast and I love to encourage others that have never picked up tools before to do just that and build right along with me!

Writing for this blog has become a dream come true. Your comments and participation inspire and encourage me to push the bar even further. I appreciate and thank you!

What’s next for Funky Junk?

I hope to grow my ‘writership’ in magazines, publish books, offer a line of my own products, host speaking engagements and even a travelling workshop or 3. To work a little tighter with DIY tool and product sponsors so I can show you everything I love in a way that will also help my family.

However for today, my goal is to encourage and help those that have fallen to get right back up again and go even further. I’ve been there. I get it. And it’s pretty wild to be on this side of the fence!

If this girl, that had to start all over with few funds and had never held a tool all her life can now build FURNITURE in her late 40’s and furnish her entire home for next to nothing, so can you!

Get ready to roll friends… there’s a whole lotta new junkin’ to do after all.

Hi Donna! I’ve recently discovered your blog but thanks for this post! Kinda felt like I was late coming to a great party but now I’m feeling more comfortable ~ LOL!!! And thanks for all the great tips, on everything! I can’t pass a pile of trash on the roadside with scanning it, looking for treasures. Much to the horror of my husband :0) Hope you have a great Memorial Day weekend!

I always follow you from Italy. I know about your story, your boy, your mom. The choices you made, the beautiful things you create starting by junk.I followed you on DYTYCD, and I voted you almost every time. I think you are a power of nature, pls don’t change your spirit.Daniela

I am a new follower of your beautiful blog. Your post on the contest alone gave me ideas to last a year. I am very sad, though, to hear of the sudden loss of your mom. My thought and prayers are with you in this season of grief.

My pal Sonny (way down here in Atlanta) and I were chatting about murals and creative stuff, and he suggested I contact you. So I googled your company name and found you, and am sending this handshake/introduction. I am a brand-new blogger and am so far extremely impressed at your web presence, and at all the creative stuff you do. I hope you won’t mind if I contact you to exchange ideas about creativity/productivity. And would it be OK to post a link to you on my blog?

Hello I just joined your blog. I am fascinated by your ability. I Love Love your style, but have no idea where to begin for myself. Where you do you get the stuff in the first place to create all your stuff?

I have only been following for about a week but am already so inspired. I started up my own blog( which I was planning on doing in much later) and already have started working with my second client a lot sooner than anticipated!

Hey – love the blog! I couldn’t figure out how to comment on your post, so am posting here. The answer is soap! Um, to your question of how to make a drawer not stick. Just run a bar of soap over the bits that rub together. Work wonders and smells nice too.Cheers!AshleighAmsterdam, Nl

Hi Donna! I tried to find your email address but my eyes were having trouble seeing if for some reason~

I am doing a very short how to post on pages as wallpaper using liquid starch. I got the idea from you and wanted to link the neat video you did to the post but am having trouble locating it. Would you be able to help me out?

HI DonnaLove your blog and all the funky things you create. I emailed you quite a while ago, maybe a year ago. You weren’t feeling well. I am not sure if you were diagnosed or not but I emailed you to tell you that I had vertigo and it seemed that is what you had. You were dizzy I know that. I haven’t seen you speak of it so I was hoping no more episodes. Anyway, just wanted to let you know I still read your blog and love all your craftiness and junkiness. Is that a word? I still get the vertigo but I Have medication that helps with the episodes. I have had it since I was 15 years old. Hope you are feeling well and keep up the wonderful things you do deeziedeeziesunshine@aol.com

It is so great to find you in this big bloggy world I live on Vancouver Island now, but lived in the Fraser valley while I was married for about 12 years. I love your blog and will definitely be back often!!!!

do you know that feeling when something feels heaven sent… yup! well, lovely lady, i do believe you & your site is. I’ll try to keep succint but I’m an Aussie girl living in the Middle East. Times have been rather tough (as for so very many people globally) and I’ve been rather downhearted lately. And then POW! i stumbled across your site. What it says to me is that there is always a way. Work with what you have & you can make something beautiful. What I want to say is: thank you for sharing, your kind spirit, your creativity and determination – and for your personal story. Plus how wonderful that you involve your little man teaching him not only practical things, but about how strong women can be. You must both be so proud of each other. Final things for you to know: (1) I rarely post anything to any site (2) I’ve been away from my own country for 20 years & reading your site has helped made it a far more exciting prospect for me to return home. I’m excited to go home & to create my own little patch of the world. I can already see a tribute sign to Donna / Funky Junk / Discovered 2011! Thank you for creating some joy & hope in a land so far away from your own! xx

I am laughing at myself cuz I found your funky Junk sight and am hooked. Checked out the recent sight where you purchased that awesome pillow and hat and ended up signing up to post and couldnt figure it out without having to join the google blog thingy! lol I have no idea what I am doing! I have never blogged etc and am feeling a little lost but what the heck if it helps me keep in touch and or find people like you it cant be a bad thing, right? Well at any rate, hello from Linda in California and thank you!

Oh my, see I told ya I didnt know what I was doing….My post says Unknown said hmmm its me, Linda Marie at lilobare@yahoo.com Oh my, wonder if I am allowed to put my email addy up….Darn, now I dont know how to add my name (big sigh):-(

Hello Donna!After all the posts I have read on your blog I am really impressed by the amazing person that you are. You have my admiration for going through your journey the way you have done it and keep doing it. I am sure that you serve as a great example, encouragement and support for many ladies that face difficulties or are growing in any way imaginable.Thank you for writing the way you write – it makes so much sense and inspires!Laura

I am delighted to have literally stumbled upon your blog today. I was born and lived in Vancouver, B.C. until 1984 and emigrating to the UK with my hubby & then 2 young children. We are grandparents now and retired so I have time to cruise the web and to find your blog thrilled me so much.

I am just getting introduced to all of your blog but what I’ve seen and read so far is pure genius. Have a beautiful and joy-filled Christmas Donna.

Hi there! I have loved seeing all your creative ideas. When you posted the pic of the church in Yarrow, I finally put it all together. My dad lives in Yarrow, on Elizabeth…some of your pics have a familiar look to them! I too have a fondness for different and funky, just started a small biz here in Iowa, doing photography style prints. Keep the ideas coming!!!Laralarabdesign@hotmail.com

I stumbled upon your blog a few weeks ago and I am hooked. You and your style is fabulous. I too am a single mother, a homeowner and I live in Northern BC. You are such an inspiration to me. I too have an affinity for pallet wood, thanks for the amazing ideas. Keep up the great work!

I have been reading your blog for a few weeks now and am totally hooked on your ideas!

In fact, I thought you might smile at the fact that although it was sad to have to have a 60+ year old avocado tree chopped down in our yard yesterday (it had root fungus and died), I had the workers save me three ginormous pieces of the trunk to make a patio table and use in my backyard garden in some way.

I would probably not have thought to save the stumps if I hadn’t been reading your blog! Now, I look at EVERYTHING and think “what can I make with this” before I recycle or toss something out.

I loved reading your about page. It makes one feel as though you could bring a cup of coffee, sit and chat all afternoon. That is a comforting factor that a lot of us don’t have. You are not only talented in your creations but with a great spirit. I am thankful I came across your blog today. Being raised on a farm I love junk. We are now full time rving so all the junk is still in the barn waiting for when we stop. In the mean time I have taken my eclecticism in another direction but will continue to follow your creativeness to share with others.

I just found you and am hooked on your ideas. I have collected many antiques through the years and now have found interesting things to do with them. You have inspired me decorate again. Thank you sooooooo much.

HI Donna-I was reading one of my other favorite blogs (besides yours), SugarPie Farmhouse and she shared a link to a new blog you MUST see. It is a little like pintrest. It is all about posting your favorite finds, upcycle project and upcoming vintage events! Here is the link: http://myfavoritefind.com/find/177/I hope you enjoy it!Love your blog!Sincerely,DonnaRae C.

I was on interest tonight and came across your upcycled pallet couch. I’m really into that sort of stuff so I clicked on the photo, which took me to this blog. LOVE IT!!!!!! Spent the last hour reading it. Then I find out your from BC….I’m from CHilliwack but we love the island and have been there lots. Comox is beautiful. What a cool coincidence that you live literally around the corner from us and we have the same taste in style!

I have been reading your blog in bits and pieces for the last few weeks, mostly via Pinterest. I just started a Reader so I can follow blogs like yours, as I’ve so enjoyed the posts I’ve read. I am a junkaholic too, and love to rething new ways to use old stuff…love many of your ideas. Then I saw that you were from BC, and after looking at more pictures, realized that you are from Comox. LOL…I’m across the water from you in Powell River! Anyways, glad to read posts from an almost-neighbour with a penchant for upcycling! Cheers! Che

I, too just found you, and it with “things happen for a reason”. I have had extremely hard times since 2007 but I don’t blame anyone or anything for it. I have had a particularly bad few days now and it was very helpful to read your inspiration post (which I came on “purely by accident”) and to know there are others out there who’s attitude toward bad times echos my own. thank you~ Cindi

I sure wish I’d found you back when I started blogging but since I didnt its been a real joy to be able to go back and see all your projects.. I truly believe you are one of the most creative folks on the planet and since I too need to do what I do on a budget, I find your abilities- amazing and inspirational…

Hi Donna, my name is Teresa I’m 27 and a mother to a beautiful little girl. You have changed my life for the better! I thank you for that. I always thought my taste for old things was just crazy but now I see! We are all crazy in some way. It all began with your desk and took off from there I’m hungry for something to do or find. Your cats are a reminder of my Ben who passed away March of this year, he was my shadow for 13 years. Please don’t stop what you are doing, I love your stories.Also love the steps I’m getting the man to build me steps going to nowhere if I have to. L in cola?

Love your blog and all your creative ideas. It is amazing to see how creative you have been with “junk”. You certainly are living the phrase: one woman’s junk is another one’s treasure! From one British Columbian to another – congratulations on making it all work! – Hugs, Lorna

Thanks to Pinterest, I have found your blog! I am moving into my first apartment soon and don’t have the finances to furnish the whole place (I am a college student), so I have been really keen on the idea of pallet furniture and an industrial look. I look forward to checking out the entire blog, but I am in love with what I have already seen. Thank you so much for all the great ideas!

Donna, you have an amazing site and I truly enjoy seeing what you have created from something that may have otherwise been sent to an untimely demise in the landfill. I am a fellow Canadian and former British Columbian so I enjoy seeing your photos from various BC locations. I just finished a project that I thought you might like and mentioned your blog on my post. http://threechicksoneegg.blogspot.ca/2012/06/reclaimed-floor-creeper-highway-sign.htmlI will be posting this project to your upcoming link party. Thanks for many great ideas and inspiration!Wendy

I just this minute (okay, maybe four minutes ago) discovered your blog and I’m hooked already! My first view was your shed in the yard with the geraniums and rusty wall art. Love it! You’ve inspired me to add some much needed character to my bland back yard. I can’t wait to get started. And I can’t wait to explore your blog some more.Thanks,Chris

My name is Carlita Morandi and I am a huge fan of your blog. I was wondering if you accept guest posts as I have some quite interesting topics in mind and I will be interested in providing you with the content. I think your readers can benefit from it and it will fit perfectly your website. Here are some of my previous articles:

Hi Donna, I have just found your blog and I love it. So many fantastic ideas. I recently made my bed head out of old fence timber and am proud to say I did it comp,etely by myself, even using the power tools (eeeek!) now I am addicted!!!!! So much inspiration to be found on your blog, thank you!!!!

Hello…I love love love your blog…I check it often for new inspiration. We just bought an old, but updated, 1870’s house, and although we have been collecting vintage glass, wood boxes, ladders, shutter etc…we really didn’t know how to display them…your blog has inspired me in so many ways…thank you for sharing!!!

Hi I just subscribed and love your stuff. I am looking for something in particular at the moment. In picture #18, your pallet sofa you have a tool box with an old drill as the handle. I just picked up one of these old drills at value village and was wondering if you made a tutorial on the process of making the tool box. I could probably figure it out myself just from the photo but the part where the big round nob at the top of the drill has got me stumped on how you attached it through the hole in the box. Thanks for your time if you get around to writing back, and if not I will have to figure it out myself.

Hi Donna! Love your blog. I recently joined. My husband and I have been “junkers” for 40 odd years…long before it became popular.My problem: I receive your blog via e-mail and every time I open it up my computer either bogs down and takes forever to load your site or freezes up. Is there something on your page that is making this happen? It doesn’t happen to any other blogs, just yours. Any suggestions you could make would be helpful…Thanks from your Albertan neighbor Ellie!

Hi! I love your blog! I lost my job working in an insurance company legal department (15 years!) at the end of last year. I would love to follow my passion for art and making creative projects and have been tossing around the idea of going to work for a sign maker. Can you recommend any good websites about the sign making craft?

. . . . where I stand . . . .

Thank-you for wishing to share my work! No need for my permission to pin my work or to feature 1 or 2 pictures with full watermarks intact that link back to the original project. Please do NOT copy complete tutorials.
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